Quick-acting c-clamp



May 31, 1949. E. c. NEAL QUICK-ACTING c-cLAMP l Filed July so, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May y31, 1949. i E. c. NEAL .2,472,022

QUICK-ACTING C-CLAMP Filed July 5o, 1945 s Sheefs-sheet 2 f jizz/6272757; 3f/265i 61443625 May 31, 1949.v E. c. NEALA f 2,472,022

QUICK-ACTING C-CLAMP Filed July 30, 1945 y .f5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ill Patented May 3l, 1949 UNI PATENT OFF QUICK-ACTIN G 'C -CLAMP Ernest ..C. Nealuhieago, Ill., assigner of one-.half to :Elmer Branden, lChicago, Ill.

.Application JulyO, 1945, Serial No. 607,781

(Cl. P14- 305) .BiClaiims f1 This invention relates -to a Vclamp ycommonly called -a-,C clamp.

An important object of lthe present invention is v*to provide aclagxnpof new andimproved'construc- *tion whereby a slidabl-y movable clamping jawis adapted to be `brought into `clamping engagement with a cooperating jaw and then lockedin position, further clamping of -the slida'bly movable jaw lbeing effected by a rotary movement.

.Anotherimportant 'object ,of the invention Lresides `in a spring pressed vself-looking holding member `nivotally lsupported by the body of 'a C clainp and having 'locking engagement with a slidably docking clamping end or liaw so as 'to permit free and ready movement in a closing position of said jaw 'but to lock normally the jaw in a reverse direction.

Other important objects Aof `the invention reside in lthe construction, arrangement and location of the Aparts `to provide 'a -C v,clamp of improved construction to effect quick and easy clamping of an article between a fixed j aw fand ra cooperating movable jaw. l

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of Ithe fol-v lowing specification.

The accompanying drawings illustra-te a sellooted embodiment of the invention and the -views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is -a detail :side elevational view of `an improved C *clamp land embodying the invention, parts being broken away -for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view ofthe improved C clamp showing Athe slidably `mounted jaw zpushed down into Contact with 4a workpiece and locked in such position by the holding member;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. `2 but `vshows the slid-able yportion vof the vC clamp screwed part way 4out of its cooperating sleeve to effect tighter clamping enga/gement with the workpiece;

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the friction lock or sleeve lock;

Fig. '5 Yis a detail elevational View showing a spring arranged to eieet yquiclrvrelease of the movable jaw;

Fig, 6 is Ia detail elevational view of .a modified form of C clamp and lembodying the invention,

lparts being broken away for the sake vof clear-v ness;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. l6 but showing the jaws of fthe clamping member in clamping engagementwith the workpiece; and

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on the `line8-8 of Fig. l6.

The particular :C clamp herein shown .for .the purpose 4of illustrating the invention comprises vthe usual C ira-me I provided `with a .attened member .orjaw 2. A second clamping member .or jaw 3 ,comprises a head 4 whichhasswivelem jgagement with a loa-rior rod `5. The barrer rod I.5 is :received inside of an outer sleeve `ort/ubc f6. rod or bar 5 isprovided with screw threads .1 which are .adapted to lhave threaded engagement with internal threads y8 formed in lthe .inside of the tube nor sleeve 6.

The tube or sleeve 6 is adapted to have 4slidable movement in an elongated boss ,n formed inthe -lllperend -of the C frame -I ',Ihe upper I,end ofthe rodorfbar 5, whlcheisoircular cross section, is provided with a knob l0 rigidlysecured thereto. A handle operating member @I-I cooperates with the khead for knob t0 to ,-provide greater leverage for .the rotation of the .rod or'bar 5. The handle vI I may have slid-able Aengagement in the head kIl) -or it may be viiiecl thereto desired.

.A Yfree floating lmember or lfriction collar l2, Eig. 4, is provided Awithloiiurced;ed legs .Il-for .at- `tachment to the body of the C frame. Each of the legs I3 :is provided with an elongated slot M, through 4which-a .pin I5 passes to secure the frio- `.tion collar I2 to the C frame. The .legs yI3 pro- .ject upwardly from .the :normal yflat plane -IB lof the main body lof nthe Vfriction collar I2. .The bo'dyvof the lfrictioncollar SI2 is provided with an opening I1 therethrough to Yreceive ythe tubular 'sleeve 5. The edges of the opening .I1 are out back .as ,indicated yat I8, .I8 to provide vbights `for y biting .into 4the exterior surface to hold the tube '.6

in its adjusted position. The friction collar 1.2 is loosely secured to the 1C frame I by means -of .the slot and pin connection i4, i5. .The elongated vslots i4 :prevent binding .of `the `friction -col- Alar .lf2 :during operation of the device.

A `transverse rib 20 is formed on .the upper .face :of the lfriction.collar I2, Fig. 4, so as to provide .1a :stop .to limit the upward pivotal movement of-.the friction .collar on lthe `C) frame I. The .end x.of

' the friction collar SI2 .terminates in'an extension -or finger piece 2l .to ,permit .manual .manipula- Ation .of `the free .floating friction collar Ato unlock the tubular sleeve 0 from the Ilocking vor ybiting parts I9 surrounding 4the hole II.

A screw 22 passes through a ihole 23 'inithe v free `floating friction :collar l2 and preferably has threaded engagement with a part of 4the C iframe `as clearly shown in Fig. 1. 'Ilhis screw limits the vertical pivotal movement ofthe nfriction Acol-lar `Il. on vits pivot I5, the upward movement-'of l'the friction collar l2 being limited by the rib 20 and the downward movement of the friction collar being limited by the head of the screw 22.

A coil spring 24 surrounds the screw 22 and is preferably recessed into the collar I2, as indicated at 25, Fig. 1. The screw 22 has threaded engagement at its end with the C frame, the rest of the body of the screw being smooth and acting as a guide pin.

The free floating friction collar I2, therefore, permits free slidable movement or" the tubular sleeve 3 in a downward direction, but prevents upward movement of the sleeve 3 unless the finger piece 2| is operated to release the biting edges I9 from the tube. When the finger piece 2l is depressed, free sliding upward movement of the tubular sleeve S is permitted.

Operation The work, or workpiece, is adapted to be clamped or locked between the surfaces of the jaw 2 and the head 4. The C c-lamp is first positioned, as shown in Fig. l, with the member or jaw 2 engaging beneath the workpiece. The tubular member 6 is then pushed downwardly, such as by applying pressure on the knob ill, whereupon the surface 4 of the jaw 3 will come into engagement with the upper side of the work, or workpiece, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the work, or workpiece, for most conventional purposes, is securely held between the upper and lower jaws.

In some instances, however, the slidable movement of the jaw 3 against the workpiece is insuicient for obtaining a tight clamp. Therefore, the handle li is given a part rotation so that the threaded bar 5 will be turned and, consequently, extend through a predetermined distance beyond the lower end of the sleeve 6. The rotating of the screw 5, therefore, provides additional clamping pressure against the workpiece, as shown in Fig. 3. Usually, a part turn of the screw member 5 is sufficient to lock the workpiece tightly and firmly between the jaws 2 and 3 When it is desired to release the workpiece, the nger piece 2| of the friction collar is depressed, whereupon the biting engagement surrounding the opening Il is released from the tube 3, and the tube may be easily and quickly returned to inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 1.

A coil spring 23, Fig. 5, may be interposed between the upper end 21 of the C frame and the lower edge of a collar 28 so that when the finger piece 2l is released, the spring 26 normally will cause the tube 6 to rise a predetermined distance and, therefore, automatically release the workpiece between the clamping jaws.

A modified construction, shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, comprises a handle member 30 pivotally mounted as at 3i to a nonthreaded smooth bar or rod 32, which bar or rod 32 is slidably mounted in the tubular sleeve 6. The handle 30 is provided with a cam end 33 which is adapted to cooperate with the upper surface of a collar member 34 so as to provide additional locking means.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, the tubular sleeve 6 is moved freely downwardly until the movable jaw 3 is brought into clamping position with respect to the lower jaw 2 to clamp the workpiece between the jaws 2 and 3. After the initial engagement or locking of the workpiece between the jaws 2 and 3, the lever or handle 30 is operated so as to move the tube downwardly a predetermined distance to provide for additional effective locking of the piece be- If desired, the tube may have 35 which is arranged tween the jaws.

mounted therein a spring between a shoulder 36 on the tube and under a shoulder 31 on the rod 32 so as to effect an auto- 5 matic release of the workpiece and retract the jaw 3 away from the workpiece when the finger piece 38 on a. modified form of friction collar 39 is depressed.

The modified friction collar 3S consists of a body 40 which is mounted between a strip 4i secured to the body of the C frame and a pivot bearing 42, the pivot bearing 42 riding in a shallow curved recess 43, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. A spring 44 may be interposed between an underside of the friction collar 39 and the upper surface of the strip 4l, the spring 44 being preferably recessed partly Within the friction collar 39, as indicated at 45.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, consists in pressing the tube 6 downwardly until the jaw 3 is in engagement with the workpiece, whereupon the sleeve will be locked by the locking member 33. The handle 30 is then raised from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 7, whereupon an additional locking or tightening movement is given or provided.

Depression of the finger piece 38 of the friction collar 39 permits release of the workpiece and 30 permits the tube G to be slid upwardly in the opening provided in the friction collar 39, the

opening in the friction collar 39 being identical with the opening l1 in the friction collar I2. The

spring 35 assists in raising the tubular sleeve B 35 a predetermined distance when the finger piece 38 is depressed. The spring 32 may be arranged between shoulders 36 and 31, as shown in Fig, 6,

or the spring 35 may be arranged as shown in Fig.

8, Fig. 8 showing the spring completely housed 40 within an enlarged end of the tubular sleeve 6.

The invention provides a clamp which may be quickly operated to bring the clamping jaws into quick clamping position and then permits a tightening action to take effect by the operation of a handle, whether the device be made in accordance with the construction shown in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, or whether the device be made in accordance with the modified construction shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive,

The device is strong and durable in construction, is eicient in operation, and may be readily and economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A clamp embodying a body forming a yoke, a stationary jaw at one end of the yoke, a bearing at the other end of the yoke, a sleeve slidably mounted in said bearing, a rod within the sleeve, movable with the sleeve and with respect to the sleeve in directions lengthwise thereof, a jaw carried by one end of said rod beyond the sleeve, for co-operation with the rst said jaw, a locking member disposed within the yoke adjacent said bearing and having an opening in alinement with the opening in the bearing, and through which opening said sleeve passes, means for adjusting the rod with respect to the sleeve to force the jaw on the rod toward the other jaw, means loosely connecting one end of the locking member to the body of the clamp, a handengaging portion on the other end of the locking member, a guide secured to the clamp body and passing loosely through the locking member, resilient means encompassing said guide and tending normally to move the locking member in one direction, to grip the sleeve, said guide. and resilient means being disposed Within the clamp adjacent one of the yoke arms, and means tending normally to move said sleeve and rod through the said bearing, to move the jaw on the rod away from the jaw on the yoke arm.

2. A clamp embodying a body forming a yoke, a stationary jaw at one end of the yoke, a bearing at the other end of the yoke, a sleeve slidably mounted in said bearing, a rod within the sleeve, movable with the sleeve and with respect to the sleeve in directions lengthwise thereof, a jaw carried .by one end of said rod beyond the sleeve, for

co-operating with the rst said jaw, a locking member disposed Within the yoke adjacent said bearing and having an opening in allnement with the opening in the bearing, and through which opening said sleeve passes, means for adjusting the rod with respect to the sleeve to force the jaw on the rod toward the other jaw, means loosely connecting one end of the locking member to the body of the clamp, a hand-engaging portion on the other end of the locking member, guide means secured to the clamp body and loosely associated with the locking member, resilient means mounted on said guide means and supported thereby tending normally to move the locking member in one direction to grip the sleeve, said resilient means being mounted within a recess in said locking member, and said locking member and guide means being disposed within the clamp adjacent one of the yoke arms, and resilient means tending normally to move the rod through the bearing, to move the jaw on the rod away from the jaw on the yoke.

3. A clamp comprising a yoke having a stationary jaw at one end thereof, a .bearing at the other end of said yoke, a sleeve slidably mounted in said bearing, a rod Within the sleeve, movable with the sleeve and with respect to the sleeve lengthwise thereof, a jaw carried on one end of the rod for cooperation with the stationary jaw, means for moving the rod with respect to the sleeve to force the jaws together, a locking member disposed within the yoke adjacent the underside of said bearing having an opening in alinement with the opening in the bearing and through which opening the sleeve passes, said locking member having a hand engaging portion at one end and an arcuate recess at the opposite end thereof, a cylindrical pin loosely iitted into said arcuate recess and resting against the underside of said yoke to provide a loose pivot for said looking member, a guide -bracket mounted on said yoke adjacent the bearing and passing loosely around said locking member, and resilient means supported by said bracket and mounted substantially Within said locking member and tending normally to move the locking member in one direction, to grip the sleeve.

ERNEST C. NEAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 589,046 Terry Aug. 31, 1897 1,804,007 Golnick May 5, 1931 2,308,105 Purdy Jan. 12, 1943 2,308,996 Miller Jan. 19, 1943 2,312,955 Camburn Mar. 2, 1943 2,319,377 Wallace et al. May 18, 1943 2,343,699 Peterson Mar. 7, 1944 

